This study investigates the differences in pragmatic competence between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland university students.Participants included 19 native speakers of English,115 Chinese mainland students,divided into...This study investigates the differences in pragmatic competence between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland university students.Participants included 19 native speakers of English,115 Chinese mainland students,divided into those who had spent time abroad in an English-speaking country(CM A)and those who had not(CM NA),and 97 Hong Kong students,divided into those from an English-medium secondary school(Hong Kong EMI)and those from a Chinese-medium school(Hong Kong CMI).Linguistic proficiency was measured by a C-test,and pragmatic competence by a Metapragmatic Knowledge Test,an Irony Test and a Monologic Role Play.Group scores were compared using ANCOVAs to control for differences in proficiency.The results point to a continuum of pragmatic competence—EMI>CMI>CM A>CM NA—reflecting the groups’access to English in real-life contexts.The differences between the Hong Kong groups and the Chinese mainland groups were clearest in those tests measuring processing capacity(i.e.,Irony Response Time and the Monologic Role Play).CM A,but not CM NA,performed as well as the Hong Kong groups on measures of metapragmatic awareness.The results are discussed in terms of Bialystok’s(1993)distinction between analyzed representation and control of processing.展开更多
Sperber ＆ Wilson point out the cognitive nature of context when they explicate relevance theory. Cognitive context exerts its function dynamically. The process of communication is the participation of cognitive conte...Sperber ＆ Wilson point out the cognitive nature of context when they explicate relevance theory. Cognitive context exerts its function dynamically. The process of communication is the participation of cognitive context. Without cognitive context, the verbal communication can not be realized.展开更多
Cognitive context is the cognitionalized context of language, situation and context of culture by the individual which is stored and stimulated in individual＇s mind when meaning is processed. The focus of this articl...Cognitive context is the cognitionalized context of language, situation and context of culture by the individual which is stored and stimulated in individual＇s mind when meaning is processed. The focus of this article is on context of culture cognitionalized by individuals. Cognitive context based on culture is the inner force of the processing of associative meaning. Cognitive context reflects the similarities and differences of the understanding of different cultural communities towards the world around them.展开更多
Silence, as a form of nonverbal communication, may be interpreted in various ways depending upon the culture. The purpose of this study is to explain misunderstanding concerned with the uses of silence in conversation...Silence, as a form of nonverbal communication, may be interpreted in various ways depending upon the culture. The purpose of this study is to explain misunderstanding concerned with the uses of silence in conversations situated in different cultural backgrounds, and then give possible methods to avoid it. The explanation is mainly based on the two categories related to the context posed by Edward Hall： high-context culture ＆ low-context culture. In this part, the study also contrasts distinct verbal styles in America ＆ Japan, in addition, it analyses different attitudes towards silence from three aspects： traditional value, religion and power distance. At end, the study is concluded with four solutions that try to solve the problem.展开更多
As one of the important phases of language acquisition process, vocabulary acquisition has great impact on one＇s language competence and communication competence. However, there are still some problems in students＇ ...As one of the important phases of language acquisition process, vocabulary acquisition has great impact on one＇s language competence and communication competence. However, there are still some problems in students＇ vocabulary acquisition. This paper first discusses the current problems in vocabulary teaching, and then analyzes some laws in vocabulary acquisition, and at last it discusses the advantages of making use of Internet in vocabulary teaching, which aims to find a possible solution to the problems.展开更多
Chinese culture, which has been regarded as a collectivistic one by such great heads as G. Hofstede and Triands for a long time, seldom receives challenge on its very nature. The authors, however, found at least three...Chinese culture, which has been regarded as a collectivistic one by such great heads as G. Hofstede and Triands for a long time, seldom receives challenge on its very nature. The authors, however, found at least three critical mistakes in Hofstede＇s work, and raised their argument that Chinese culture is not a collectivistic one, but a ＂shi＂ culture which relies heavily on context. The split of mind is the fundamental cause of this ＂shi＂ culture.展开更多
Based on linguistic theories which developed by Saussure and some other contemporary linguists, this article attempts to analyze the factors that cause low English parole competence of the contemporary college student...Based on linguistic theories which developed by Saussure and some other contemporary linguists, this article attempts to analyze the factors that cause low English parole competence of the contemporary college students under non-target language environment. It views that how to properly deal with the relationship between langue and parole is still a debating focus in applied linguistics. The result of low English parole competence of contemporary college students is due to the interaction of the contemporary College English syllabus, text books pedagogies and the English language level of both students and teachers. Thus it puts forward some suggestions to improve the college students＇ English parole competence.展开更多
In the teaching of Chinese-English（C-E） translation, the cultivation of students＇ awareness of context is very important. As far as word-rendering in C-E translation is concerned, contextual analysis can help stude...In the teaching of Chinese-English（C-E） translation, the cultivation of students＇ awareness of context is very important. As far as word-rendering in C-E translation is concerned, contextual analysis can help student solve such problems as the precise comprehension of the SL（source language） words, the translation of vague words and polysemous words, the conveyance of implicature and non-correspondence of word meaning.展开更多
What happened to the Olympic torch relay abroad reveals how little and superficially the western countries, in particular, know of china. Meanwhile there also exists a lack or vacancy of English teaching in English te...What happened to the Olympic torch relay abroad reveals how little and superficially the western countries, in particular, know of china. Meanwhile there also exists a lack or vacancy of English teaching in English teaching at home. The failure of expressing Chinese culture and conditions correctly and fluently among the English learners has already resulted in negative impact on our international image, which is related to our teaching policy of strengthening western culture and neglecting the export of our own culture. Therefore, in the English teaching at all levels, great attention should be paid to the cross-cultural communication between home culture and the culture of target language, the promotion of expressing mother culture in foreign languages, and exporting and broadcasting Chinese culture.展开更多
At present, almost all the systems and products for speech recognition are working in quiet environment and their performances are degraded or even can′t work when they are operated in high noisy environment. In this...At present, almost all the systems and products for speech recognition are working in quiet environment and their performances are degraded or even can′t work when they are operated in high noisy environment. In this paper, after analyzing the features of speech and noise, a speech enhancement method for LPC autoregressive model for command words recognition used in noisy environment is proposed, and an experimental system is realized. In different background noisy environments, we conduct experiments about SNR, basic accuracy, noise resistant ability and system environment adaptability with different microphones. The experimental results show that the system has good recognition performance in high noisy environments. The system can resist many kinds of noises and meet the needs of application areas on the whole such as military, traffic, marketplace and factory etc.展开更多
Along with the accelerated pace of reform and opening, and the frequent external exchanges, and the increasingly widespread exchanges between countries, especially the improving information technology, and the use of ...Along with the accelerated pace of reform and opening, and the frequent external exchanges, and the increasingly widespread exchanges between countries, especially the improving information technology, and the use of the Internet, more and more people have been involved in cross-cultural communication. However, there are many differences between Chinese people and people from other cultures in the way of thinking, social and cultural life habits, and all of them can lead cross-cultural communication barriers. Therefore, a higher demand to English language teaching has been put forward, English language teaching not only imparts knowledge, the more important thing is to train students in the interpersonal skills, and develop their applications in English cross-cultural communication ability.展开更多
Due to the extremely high magnitude, long duration, and the complicated geo-environment in the disaster area, the great 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake not only produced a huge number of landslides and rockfalls, but also in...Due to the extremely high magnitude, long duration, and the complicated geo-environment in the disaster area, the great 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake not only produced a huge number of landslides and rockfalls, but also involved complicated dynamic processes. These processes are quite different from the characteristics of landslides and rockfalls under general gravitational force, and presently human knowledge is very poor in this field. In order to describe the special dynamic processes, some terms such as shattering-cracking, shattering-sliding, shattering-falls and ejection are defined in this paper. Combined with slope structures, a mechanism classification system of strong earthquake-triggered landslide and rockfall is suggested, which is divided into 5 categories and 14 types. This paper also analyzes the basic characteristics, dynamic processes and geo-mechanics conceptual models of some typologies, especial the type of shattering-sliding for most large-scales landsides. This paper initially reveals the formation mechanism, geo-mechanics models and dynamic features of landslides and rockfalls triggered by the great Wenchuan Earthquake.展开更多
Contextual Cognitive Theory （CCT） is the latest teaching and learning theory in west countries, which reveals the nature of knowledge in a new perspective as well as the conditions of meaningful learning. The concep...Contextual Cognitive Theory （CCT） is the latest teaching and learning theory in west countries, which reveals the nature of knowledge in a new perspective as well as the conditions of meaningful learning. The concept based on CCT corresponds to the principles proposed by the new curriculum standard for English. Therefore, it has great implications for the reform of English teaching in the classroom. In this paper, the author gives a brief account of the main points of CCT, and then, she discusses its pedagogical implications for the construction of new teaching strategies in the classroom through designing and analyzing teaching cases.展开更多
Because of the importance of graphics and information within the domain of architecture, engineering and construction （AEC）, an appropriate combination of visualization technology and information management technolo...Because of the importance of graphics and information within the domain of architecture, engineering and construction （AEC）, an appropriate combination of visualization technology and information management technology is of utter importance in the development of appropriately supporting design and construction applications. Virtual environments, however, tend not to make this information available. The sparse number of applications that present additional information furthermore tend to limit their scope to pure construction information and do not incorporate information from loosely related knowledge domains, such as cultural heritage or architectural history information. We therefore started an investigation of two of the newest developments in these domains, namely game engine technology and semantic web technology. This paper documents part of this research, containing a review and comparison of the most prominent game engines and documenting our architectural semantic web. A short test-case illustrates how both can be combined to enhance information visualization for architectural design and construction.展开更多
The present study aimed at investigating the reliability and content validity of a comprehensive test of Interlanguage Pragmatics （ILP） developed for the academic situations in the Iranian context. To do so, a meta-...The present study aimed at investigating the reliability and content validity of a comprehensive test of Interlanguage Pragmatics （ILP） developed for the academic situations in the Iranian context. To do so, a meta-analysis of 50 articles which had reported on the tests of ILP was done and the criteria required for the selection of the speech acts of academic situations were developed. Then a Multiple-Choice Discourse Completion Test （MDCT） of interlanguage pragmatics was developed and validated through native checked situations and items based on meta-pragmatics procedures. Participants of the study were 50 M.A. students majoring in TEFL （Teaching English as a Foreign Language） studying at Iranian universities as well as 50 native speakers of English. The findings revealed that the test developed enjoyed high internal consistency and content validity. The present findings could contribute to the fields of second language testing and assessment in general and testing interlanguage pragmatics in particular.展开更多
This paper demonstrates the relationship between translators and dictionaries, and the proper approaches to using dictionaries. Dictionaries play an indispensable role in translation through providing definitions and ...This paper demonstrates the relationship between translators and dictionaries, and the proper approaches to using dictionaries. Dictionaries play an indispensable role in translation through providing definitions and showing various translation skills. However, translators should handle properly the dictionary definition for each word, and interpret within context with consideration of its target readers and the possible effect the translation will possibly have on them.展开更多
文摘This study investigates the differences in pragmatic competence between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland university students.Participants included 19 native speakers of English,115 Chinese mainland students,divided into those who had spent time abroad in an English-speaking country(CM A)and those who had not(CM NA),and 97 Hong Kong students,divided into those from an English-medium secondary school(Hong Kong EMI)and those from a Chinese-medium school(Hong Kong CMI).Linguistic proficiency was measured by a C-test,and pragmatic competence by a Metapragmatic Knowledge Test,an Irony Test and a Monologic Role Play.Group scores were compared using ANCOVAs to control for differences in proficiency.The results point to a continuum of pragmatic competence—EMI>CMI>CM A>CM NA—reflecting the groups’access to English in real-life contexts.The differences between the Hong Kong groups and the Chinese mainland groups were clearest in those tests measuring processing capacity(i.e.,Irony Response Time and the Monologic Role Play).CM A,but not CM NA,performed as well as the Hong Kong groups on measures of metapragmatic awareness.The results are discussed in terms of Bialystok’s(1993)distinction between analyzed representation and control of processing.
文摘Sperber ＆ Wilson point out the cognitive nature of context when they explicate relevance theory. Cognitive context exerts its function dynamically. The process of communication is the participation of cognitive context. Without cognitive context, the verbal communication can not be realized.
文摘Cognitive context is the cognitionalized context of language, situation and context of culture by the individual which is stored and stimulated in individual＇s mind when meaning is processed. The focus of this article is on context of culture cognitionalized by individuals. Cognitive context based on culture is the inner force of the processing of associative meaning. Cognitive context reflects the similarities and differences of the understanding of different cultural communities towards the world around them.
文摘Silence, as a form of nonverbal communication, may be interpreted in various ways depending upon the culture. The purpose of this study is to explain misunderstanding concerned with the uses of silence in conversations situated in different cultural backgrounds, and then give possible methods to avoid it. The explanation is mainly based on the two categories related to the context posed by Edward Hall： high-context culture ＆ low-context culture. In this part, the study also contrasts distinct verbal styles in America ＆ Japan, in addition, it analyses different attitudes towards silence from three aspects： traditional value, religion and power distance. At end, the study is concluded with four solutions that try to solve the problem.
文摘As one of the important phases of language acquisition process, vocabulary acquisition has great impact on one＇s language competence and communication competence. However, there are still some problems in students＇ vocabulary acquisition. This paper first discusses the current problems in vocabulary teaching, and then analyzes some laws in vocabulary acquisition, and at last it discusses the advantages of making use of Internet in vocabulary teaching, which aims to find a possible solution to the problems.
文摘Chinese culture, which has been regarded as a collectivistic one by such great heads as G. Hofstede and Triands for a long time, seldom receives challenge on its very nature. The authors, however, found at least three critical mistakes in Hofstede＇s work, and raised their argument that Chinese culture is not a collectivistic one, but a ＂shi＂ culture which relies heavily on context. The split of mind is the fundamental cause of this ＂shi＂ culture.
文摘Based on linguistic theories which developed by Saussure and some other contemporary linguists, this article attempts to analyze the factors that cause low English parole competence of the contemporary college students under non-target language environment. It views that how to properly deal with the relationship between langue and parole is still a debating focus in applied linguistics. The result of low English parole competence of contemporary college students is due to the interaction of the contemporary College English syllabus, text books pedagogies and the English language level of both students and teachers. Thus it puts forward some suggestions to improve the college students＇ English parole competence.
文摘In the teaching of Chinese-English（C-E） translation, the cultivation of students＇ awareness of context is very important. As far as word-rendering in C-E translation is concerned, contextual analysis can help student solve such problems as the precise comprehension of the SL（source language） words, the translation of vague words and polysemous words, the conveyance of implicature and non-correspondence of word meaning.
文摘What happened to the Olympic torch relay abroad reveals how little and superficially the western countries, in particular, know of china. Meanwhile there also exists a lack or vacancy of English teaching in English teaching at home. The failure of expressing Chinese culture and conditions correctly and fluently among the English learners has already resulted in negative impact on our international image, which is related to our teaching policy of strengthening western culture and neglecting the export of our own culture. Therefore, in the English teaching at all levels, great attention should be paid to the cross-cultural communication between home culture and the culture of target language, the promotion of expressing mother culture in foreign languages, and exporting and broadcasting Chinese culture.
文摘At present, almost all the systems and products for speech recognition are working in quiet environment and their performances are degraded or even can′t work when they are operated in high noisy environment. In this paper, after analyzing the features of speech and noise, a speech enhancement method for LPC autoregressive model for command words recognition used in noisy environment is proposed, and an experimental system is realized. In different background noisy environments, we conduct experiments about SNR, basic accuracy, noise resistant ability and system environment adaptability with different microphones. The experimental results show that the system has good recognition performance in high noisy environments. The system can resist many kinds of noises and meet the needs of application areas on the whole such as military, traffic, marketplace and factory etc.
文摘Along with the accelerated pace of reform and opening, and the frequent external exchanges, and the increasingly widespread exchanges between countries, especially the improving information technology, and the use of the Internet, more and more people have been involved in cross-cultural communication. However, there are many differences between Chinese people and people from other cultures in the way of thinking, social and cultural life habits, and all of them can lead cross-cultural communication barriers. Therefore, a higher demand to English language teaching has been put forward, English language teaching not only imparts knowledge, the more important thing is to train students in the interpersonal skills, and develop their applications in English cross-cultural communication ability.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (Grant No. 2008CB425801)
文摘Due to the extremely high magnitude, long duration, and the complicated geo-environment in the disaster area, the great 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake not only produced a huge number of landslides and rockfalls, but also involved complicated dynamic processes. These processes are quite different from the characteristics of landslides and rockfalls under general gravitational force, and presently human knowledge is very poor in this field. In order to describe the special dynamic processes, some terms such as shattering-cracking, shattering-sliding, shattering-falls and ejection are defined in this paper. Combined with slope structures, a mechanism classification system of strong earthquake-triggered landslide and rockfall is suggested, which is divided into 5 categories and 14 types. This paper also analyzes the basic characteristics, dynamic processes and geo-mechanics conceptual models of some typologies, especial the type of shattering-sliding for most large-scales landsides. This paper initially reveals the formation mechanism, geo-mechanics models and dynamic features of landslides and rockfalls triggered by the great Wenchuan Earthquake.
文摘Contextual Cognitive Theory （CCT） is the latest teaching and learning theory in west countries, which reveals the nature of knowledge in a new perspective as well as the conditions of meaningful learning. The concept based on CCT corresponds to the principles proposed by the new curriculum standard for English. Therefore, it has great implications for the reform of English teaching in the classroom. In this paper, the author gives a brief account of the main points of CCT, and then, she discusses its pedagogical implications for the construction of new teaching strategies in the classroom through designing and analyzing teaching cases.
文摘Because of the importance of graphics and information within the domain of architecture, engineering and construction （AEC）, an appropriate combination of visualization technology and information management technology is of utter importance in the development of appropriately supporting design and construction applications. Virtual environments, however, tend not to make this information available. The sparse number of applications that present additional information furthermore tend to limit their scope to pure construction information and do not incorporate information from loosely related knowledge domains, such as cultural heritage or architectural history information. We therefore started an investigation of two of the newest developments in these domains, namely game engine technology and semantic web technology. This paper documents part of this research, containing a review and comparison of the most prominent game engines and documenting our architectural semantic web. A short test-case illustrates how both can be combined to enhance information visualization for architectural design and construction.
文摘The present study aimed at investigating the reliability and content validity of a comprehensive test of Interlanguage Pragmatics （ILP） developed for the academic situations in the Iranian context. To do so, a meta-analysis of 50 articles which had reported on the tests of ILP was done and the criteria required for the selection of the speech acts of academic situations were developed. Then a Multiple-Choice Discourse Completion Test （MDCT） of interlanguage pragmatics was developed and validated through native checked situations and items based on meta-pragmatics procedures. Participants of the study were 50 M.A. students majoring in TEFL （Teaching English as a Foreign Language） studying at Iranian universities as well as 50 native speakers of English. The findings revealed that the test developed enjoyed high internal consistency and content validity. The present findings could contribute to the fields of second language testing and assessment in general and testing interlanguage pragmatics in particular.
文摘This paper demonstrates the relationship between translators and dictionaries, and the proper approaches to using dictionaries. Dictionaries play an indispensable role in translation through providing definitions and showing various translation skills. However, translators should handle properly the dictionary definition for each word, and interpret within context with consideration of its target readers and the possible effect the translation will possibly have on them.
